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I am a 12/3 girl. I enjoyed my cream of mushroom soup for supper. No more clear liquids for this girl. Felt full of energy yesterday..not so much today..taking my anti depressant and anti anxiety meds is no fun..its like doing a shot of the worst alcohol but having to sip it..yuck

Ok, now ya got me scared again! I do have reflux, but it's normally associated with eating just before going to bed or drinking alcohol. Neither of which are uncommon in people over 50. That's the only thing "wrong" with me to date. My new PCP didn't seem too concerned and gave me a script for Nexium, it was great, so far no new problems. I do see the new doc for follow up on 7/11.

Alcohol is out of your system in 8 to 16 hours max. She isn't talking about going on a black tar heroine bender before surgery.

I went on a cruise for 2 weeks preop. I didn't have to follow a strict preop diet apart from the day before. I drank until 2 days before. I was absolutely fine. There is no evidence to suggest alcohol affects anaesthetic or recovery (apart from 24 hours preop). You'll be fine. Don't worry. I am a preop nurse and we ask patients not to drink for 24 hours preop only. Good luck. Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

I have to tell you guys -- this is bizarre, but I'm actually doing ok all things considered. I'm feeling a little squirrley, but for the most part, I'm just excited it is almost here! For those of you who are behind me in terms of timing on this journey, here have been the most challenging parts of this process: 1. Making the decision. Until I literally put down money (I'm self pay), I was having a constant dialogue about "should I or shouldn't I." It was exhausting. 2. Mourning the food. I felt like a crazy woman for the 2 weeks leading up to my pre-op diet. I ate everything I could get my hands on. Seriously. I went to a different restaurant every night. I ate until I was sick. It was horrible. And it made me question EVERYTHING -- I kept saying to myself, "You are pathetic. If you cannot control yourself better than this, then surgery will never work for you." I now know that was just self-sabotage (as was the crazy behavior itself). 3. Giving up smoking and alcohol. These were a bit tough, but not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I just feel like if my entire life is changing, my entire life might as well change (if that makes any sense). No use holding on to other unhealthy coping behaviors. And what's the point of getting my health risks down with the surgery if I were going to continue to smoke? 4. Thinking too much about what my life will be life after this surgery. I know this is an important part of the decision making process because this surgery is irreversible and life-changing. That said, I think I over-scared myself. I keep forgetting that the person I am today does not have the same perspective as the person I will be after surgery. For example, right now, food is the center of my world. I can't imagine life without big plates of pasta, and ice cream, and steak, (etc). But once I get used to eating with the sleeve, I am confident that other things will fill in that void. I have faith that there is life on the other side of food addiction. Okay -- off to eat my last popsickle before I make an effort at sleep. See you all on the other side!!!!

If you do your own, you must find a special non-coring needle that will not core your port as it goes through. If you don't you run the risk of developing leaks in it. If it leaked badly enough you might have to get it replaced because you would constantly lose your fill over time. Also you must be thorough with your skin cleaning, and not just with alcohol. You run the risk of developing a cellulitis or port infection which could be bad enough that they would have to replace it. Good luck to you--I know in theory it's not too hard but can you stick a needle in your own stomach? Try to find a nurse that is used to accessing portacaths and maybe he/she would be willing to help you.

I have EmblemHealth GHI and they had a six month requirement of medically supervised nutritional monitoring and counseling, but no weight loss benchmark. I was 4 months in when, in June 2018, they revised the criteria to eliminate the requirement. The major bariatric organizations and institute (See, e.g., American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery's Updated Position Paper on Preoperative Supervised Weight Loss Requirements (March 2016) have all come out with position papers saying that these types of requirements serve no medical benefit, are not supported by any scientific evidence and only delay necessary treatment--which can harm patients (particularly those with co-morbidities like Type 2 diabetes). If you (or anyone else) is denied coverage because you have failed to meet this arbitrary and ridiculous requirement, you have a very good basis for challenging the denial. This requirement only serves as a barrier to necessary treatment for patients who stand to benefit from it. The new position advocated by most major institutes and associations is that surgery should be determined based on the BMI you present with at your initial consultation with the bariatric surgeon. EmblemHealth is hardly a trailblazer when it comes to loosening their approval standards and criteria, so if they did away with this requirement you can best most other companies will be revising their policies in the near future. I would definitely fight hard if any body's carrier denied coverage based on your purported failure to meet this arbitrary and pointless requirement. Although this may be slightly off topic, many insurance companies have other similar absurdities in their requirements. For example, many require that you do not have an active eating disorder. With few exceptions, every person who has a BMI over 35 (and definitely if you're over 40) likely has an active eating disorder (binge eating, carb addiction etc.) likely has an eating disorder (binge eating). This should not be a basis for denial of coverage. Putting these two condition for approval together and you have nothing but a hardened barrier to treatment that is not imposed on any other medical condition. If a person has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, most insurance companies provide in-patient coverage for detoxification and rehabilitation. Could you imagine if insurance made that coverage contingent on the addicts ability to prove they stayed off their drug of choice for 6 or more months before they would cover the cost of rehab??? In the case of obesity, diet and exercise alone does not work for the morbidly obese, so why impose a requirement that they lose 5-15% of their body weight as a condition for surgery. Worse yet, some carriers require patients to show they they failed a to lose 5% of their body weight after 6-24 months of supervised medical dieting. This creates a perverse incentive for a morbidly obese patient to go through counseling, but ignore the advice and not lose weight (all the while allowing their health to deteriorate). These types of requirements need to go. Do what you need to do to qualify for the surgery you need--but fight your ass off with the carrier if your denied coverage based on these arbitrary (but strictly enforced) requirements.

Hi everyone. I have been following this forum since 2018 when I got sleeved but never had the courage to make an account and post. Well, I got the courage today because I feel like my life is spinning out of control. I will try and keep this as short as possible for brevity but I really need some support and encouragement. I am a male, early 40's who got VSG in 2018. I lost approximately 125 lbs. I was happy, my life changed. I was motivated, more social and felt like I was on top of the world. I got down to 170-175 and felt great. Then, the pandemic hit. Before it hit, my family left my state and moved. Then my father passed during the pandemic and I ended up moving out of state and trying to start my life over. My remaining family lives about 3 hours from me. I never really had a problem with alcohol until the pandemic and the loss of my dad. I put on about 40 lbs in a year between drinking and eating horribly. I don't think I stretched my sleeve because I can feel restrictions, but the carbs from beer are what's doing it. I just joined a gym, and I stopped drinking a few days ago. I also have an appointment with a therapist. People say that it's hardest to lose weight after initial weight gain from VSG. I don't really know anyone in my state or town where I moved, so I need to keep myself accountable. I got the courage to sign up. I also am going to do high protein low carb and see if I have results. I am about 215 right now and I dread seeing people, I am even avoiding seeing my family because of the weight gain.

My surgeon says 2-3 months before alcohol but that it's never really recommended because it does slow your weight loss. Some surgeons say longer or never, but I think they are not giving a medical answer but a value judgement. Plus, you'll be a lightweight, if you weren't already. So do the first drink in a controlled environment.

I know someone who uses Vodka to strip paint off some of their crafty things they do... Hmmm? IDK. Doesnt really matter to me, I was just sayin'. Probably not a smart thing to drink alcohol 2 weeks after surgery, but like I said before. Its her body! She can do as she pleases!

Yeppers they can. It can also be considered a DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol).

I was advised not to drink alcohol for at least eight weeks, and I followed that direction. Now, at well over three years out, I do enjoy my White Russians without any issues or guilt. Sent from my iPad using VST

JP do you think the the FDA would allow alcohol to be legal if it was to strip off paint it is a different alcohol it is just like DON'T swallow gum cause it will stick you stomach together it is wives tale

I would be WAY too scared to drink THAT soon... Cant it cause a leak? I would imagine it could since some alcohols can strip paint.. What would that do to a healing stomach? Its your body, but I would just be careful. Complications of any sort are no fun. Not worth having a drink to me.

And another thing the medicine .. Loritab liquid that they sent me home with contains 17 percent alcohol !!! So is there any proven fact that alcohol affect the sleeve ??? Need answers not just negative comments

So for all of you with this "Alcohol causes leaks and liver damage, and ulcers, Just got back from the dr.s for my 2 week check up . I asked him about every single concern and risks that people were saying. He said it is no different than how alcohol affects a regular liver. And started laughing when i was concerned that it would cause a leak!!! I dont know where these people get this info from. I have googled this topic, researched and came up with exactly what my doc told me. High calorie intake, and more affects of the alcohol due to ur low tolerance. My doc is one of the top leading surgeons in the Orange County area and i take his advice over anyones in this forum. Sorry to burst your bubbles. he gave clearance of 3 weeks !! So all that crap talk about leaks and things is NONSENSE from alcohol!!!!!!!! THANK YOU DOC!!!!!

I smell a muddy troll... No doctor in their right mind would sleeve someone with only 20# to lose, and at two weeks out your sleeve can barely tolerate water and protein shakes, let alone alcohol. If this is what you do for entertainment is start drama on a site intended to support those who need it I feel sorry for you.

I too, have had the dizziness kinda thing happen. Usually when I get up to quickly, there is a moment where everything is a bit woozy. I recently had an incident where I passed out (broke my ankle somehow in the process), they did all kinds of tests on me, BP ok, bloods perfect. It does seem more common when I have had some alcohol the night before. *Shrugs*

unfortunately, I've heard that story (or something like it) before - a few times, in fact. Alcoholism runs on one side of my family (my two maternal uncles both had it), so I've always been careful - and doubly, triply so after WLS because of the risk. sorry that happened to you.

Glad to hear you are doing good Lissa, I remember seeing you on here when you were much bigger! It's weird to experience the feeling of your equilibrium being off (I put it this way, because it's not your traditional room spinning dizziness), but considering that my VSG friend shares the symptoms, all of our labs are normal and no doctor thinks we have anything seriously wrong with us- I find some odd comfort in the notion that a few doctors and friends have given me, is that the body adjusts in mysterious ways, and on a cellular level so many of us VSG patients are completely different people. I've dropped over 10 points on my BMI, which isn't much compared to some! I'll share all the info I get that has helped me or given me insight, as it seems like others experience some dizziness and balance issues too, and I think knowledge is power. Things that have helped: water! Increasing my hydration seems to be the most important part, but it takes a while after treating and recognizing that I was dehydrated or drinking alcohol to be symptom free. Acupuncture: I'm fortunate enough to work with a experienced Chinese medicine practicioner, and this has made my symptoms seems to go away sooner. Also, I'll add that it's quite easy to become a hypochondriac when you are feeling dizzy or off balance: stop it! Panicing and worrying that you are deficient or have a brain tumor or something serious will only make you go nuts. There are countless things that can make a person dizzy- get a physical, a full metabolic panel, and check all your B Vitamins as these are related to balance. VSG is an amazing surgery and typically does not result in deficiencies if you are eating a supplementing properly. Beyond that, a basic neurological exam from your PCP will show if there is anything alarming. Pay attention to your hydration and protein- but don't go nuts. I do not think anyone in normal climate needs to exceed 100 ounces a day.

I'm planning on having a drink, or at least 4 sips of one, real soon. It is worthy of mention however, that a lot of people have lowered tolerance for alcohol after the sleeve. My husband knows a man from work that had the sleeve about a year ago. This guy started having a few drinks on occasion, progressed to having drinks frequently to combat the frustration he felt over not being able to eat normally anymore, then ended up in rehab. Such a shame. The only good part is that he's lost a ton of weight and looks great. I've never been a big drinker so over doing it won't be a problem, but for some it could cause big problems.

My advice is to avoid alcohol 100% for at least the first 6 months and frankly until you get to goal. After that, proceed with caution. Addiction transference is the real deal. You are all saying "that couldn't happen to me" - well - I know someone that basically DIED 4 years after her gastric bypass as a result of becoming an alcoholic. Something changes ... alcohol CAN be different post sleeve. I do socially drink but notice that i like booze more then I used to. I hardly used to have a sip of alcohol at all, like maybe a few times a year, but on a recent business trip, i shared in the bottle of wine at the dinner table every single night - sure just one glass of red but I wouldn't have done that before - and I can't explain why it is now more appealing to me. So, I still allow myself to drink socially as long as is after food, but i am quite diligent. I had an experience that shocked the crap out of me. I poured myself a drink on a "friday" about 730 or so something I never would have done before. My hubs came home at 9 and said I was sound asleep (and i am normally a light sleeper). I had forgotten to eat so consumed that drink after having gone without food for 6-7 hours and I theorize I basically crawled into bed and passed out. So there you go, that is how people start substituting alcohol for food. I will NEVER do that again, and I am sharing my story as a word of caution - there is something different about alcohol post WLS Oh, and now I am a month from plastic surgery and so am drinking zero alcohol just to be safe. I am going to be ramping down my main addiction - coffee - just like I did before the sleeve. I am really dreading giving up my beloved caffiene.

heroin is killing our young people. So is alcohol and pills. It's ok , even celebrated, when society advocates alcohol use and abuse, and thousands are behind bars because of mandatory sentencing for pot possession. Marijuana, when used normally, is far less harmful than any other drug. Of course, some will have a problem with it, but those folks would likely abuse other drugs. They need help As a chronic pain patient, I wish I lived somewhere with medical marijuana was available...don't like feeling high, though

I live in Texas and mj is still ilegal here, I am against using it recreational but for using medically if needed. I respect that, I actually do like to hear others point of views as long as they aren't attacking someone else's way of life. Like my personal opinion is I'm against the consumption of alcohol period. Even though it is legal I'm against it. Marijuana is legal here for medicinal purposes (soon to be recreational) and it has improved my quality of life drastically.Did you stop smoking pre or post- op if so for how long? And when did you start back?

It is also still illegal in my state. That is the only problem I have with it. If it were legal I would equate it w/having a beer or a glass of wine. If I needed it for medical reasons I would have no problems using it w/a prescription. It's medical use is increasing in popularity and acceptance. We have several locations in our area where you can get it and business is booming. As far as munchies go (I'm very familiar w/this, being a child of the 70's) keeping snack-type foods around that also have high Protein is a great idea, as someone suggested. Nutrition stores stock high protein Snacks that satisfy crunchy-salty cravings while meeting protein needs. I like CrunchO's w/12gr of protein (also available on Amazon). Nuts, while higher in fat, have protein and healthy oils, and Protein Bars are satisfying too. MJ isn't the only thing that causes munchies - I tend to want snacks when I have my wine. Alcohol lowers my will power and relaxes my judgment a bit so having protein snacks available helps me to stay on track during weak moments. :-)